Old Testament - Later this year in the One Year Bible when we read Galatians, you'll note that Paul powerfully references today's readings in Deuteronomy chapter 27 verse 26: "'Cursed is anyone who does not affirm and obey the terms of these instructions.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'" One of the best things we can ever do when studying the Bible is simply let Scripture interpret Scripture. So here we go on Galatians chapter 3 verses 10 through 12: "But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law." So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, "It is through obeying the law that a person has life."" How do these verses from Galatians speak to you? Do you agree that we cannot be made right with God by trying to keep the law? Do you think the way of faith is very different from the way of law?

As we're in the Easter/Good Friday season, let me continue on with a few more verses here from Galatians chapter 10, continuing with verses 13 and 14: "But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith." Has Jesus rescued you from the curse pronounced by the law? Do you believe that Jesus took upon himself the curse for your wrongdoing? Have you received the promised Holy Spirit through faith?

Today in Deuteronomy chapter 26 verses 1 & 2 we read about the offering of first fruits: "When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession and you have conquered it and settled there, put some of the first produce from each harvest into a basket and bring it to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored."

New Testament - Today in Luke chapter 10 we read about Jesus visiting Mary & Martha and Martha becoming upset with Mary for sitting at Jesus' feet and not helping her work in the kitchen. To which Jesus says to Martha in verses 41 & 42 - "But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it--and I won't take it away from her." What do you think is the one thing worth being concerned about Jesus is referring to? Is this really the only one thing you are concerned about in your life today? Or are you possibly being distracted by other "details"?

How often do you pray the Lord's Prayer? Once a day? Once a week? Once a month? Think this would be a good prayer to pray regularly, since Jesus himself taught us to pray it? Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 11's readings today titled "Teach Us How to Pray" is at this link.

Psalms - I love Psalm 76 verse 4's reflection on God! "You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains." I wonder how often we look at nature and forget that God created nature? I think so often we can look at a beautiful sunset or a mountain or a forest or an ocean and temporarily forget that God created these beautiful things. If God created these beautiful things, then doesn't it stand to reason that God is more glorious and more majestic than all of his created things? I've said this one before on this blog: before I believed in Jesus or really even God, I honestly think I was evangelized by creation. Meaning - I would look at a starry night with my friends and say things like, "How could there be so many stars up there like that and there not be a God? Things like that can't just happen by chance!" Praise God for his creation that was evangelizing me toward Him! Has creation ever evangelized you? Do you think creation might be able to evangelize your friends who do not yet know God? Let us pray that we don't ever end up worshiping creation instead of the Creator. Let us be impressed and thankful and admire creation - but let us give the glory and the worship to the Creator, God, who is more glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains...

Proverbs - Proverbs 12 verse 15 teaches us today: ""Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others." This is a great opportunity for each of us to ask ourselves whether we think we need no advice or whether we are open to listening to others...

YouTube Sermon: Today's readings remind me of Third Day's song "Soul on Fire:"

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation." Luke 11:2-4 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray the Lord's Prayer daily. Pray for God's Kingdom to come and His Will to be done. Pray for your daily bread. Pray for the forgiveness of your sins. Pray that you will forgive others. Pray that you will not be led into temptation.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on Luke chapter 10's readings on Mary and Martha today, did you personally identify more with Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet, or Martha, who became upset because of her busyness? Which one of the two would you like to identify with more? Do you think that sometimes as Christians we can get too busy and miss out on spending time at the feet of Jesus? Will you examine your daily schedule and look for ways that you are "overbooking" yourself, and thus missing out on quiet time with the Lord? Will you resolve to be more like Mary and spend some quality time with Jesus - particularly during this Easter season? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

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Deuteronomy 26-27:26

The first verse of today’s reading jumped out at me, 1"When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession and you have conquered it and settled there,

God gave them but they had to conquer and settle: God gave them, they were to conquer … In other words, they had to get busy.

Jesus stated in Luke 12:32 (Amp), Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!

Too often when God has blessed us in circumstances, with favor, with jobs and other situations we think that everything is suppose to be fall into place; however, God had given Israel the Promise but they had to conquer and settle. The command to Adam back in the garden was, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (Genesis 1:28). If everything was under and submitted to Adam, God would not have had to tell him, “subdue.” [1. bring under forcible control: to bring a person or group of people under control using force]. Even if we use “subdue” in the context of softening as lets say clay, to soften clay one must mold and apply pressure.

Luke 10:38-11:13
Observe Martha and Mary’s attitude in the 10th chapter of Luke. So often we run around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to do things for Jesus and God when what we really need to do is sit at the Master’s feet and hear His Words. I believe when we have been fed spiritually with the Words of Life we will know how to go about the Master’s business efficiently and effectively.

I thank God for Mike for establishing this Blog so that like-minded folks who want to get into the Word of God, and His son Jesus, have a place to discuss what we have read.

Funny how Martha is busying herself to prepare a meal for Jesus who is the Bread of Life for all men and women, so that she can feed Him when the best meal, eternal life and living water, will come from Him. Funny how Martha is concerned about feeding a man who took a couple of fish and some small loves of bread, a meal prepared for a little boy by his mother, and fed 5,000 men, plus woman and children. Funny how Martha is concerned about creating a fabulous atmosphere of fine dinning for the one who Created the universe (John 1:3)

Even in teaching the disciples how to pray and using the example of a friend showing up late at night asking to borrow some loaves of bread brings into play that Jesus, the Bread of Life is willing to feed us if we but just knock, seek and ask. He is not like the friend who gives in and gives the bread only because of the persistence of the man knocking and to keep the friend from waking up his children, Jesus gives because He loves us. We don’t have to ware Him out.

Proverbs 18:24: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

And that friend is Jesus

Psalm 76:1-12

10 Human opposition only enhances your glory,
for you use it as a sword of judgment

Reading this particular verse causes me to ask the question, “If man cannot prevail against God, then what should our role in society be when those who oppose God do 1) Godless acts, and 2) implement policies that are against our faith? I know that the only person I can control is me, we can’t even control our children especially when they grow up. If that is the case shouldn’t I act in such a way that my behavior contrasted against the godless not only stand out and separate me from the godless but also be a light in a dead and dying world?

Do I get all worked up about the choices others make that our against my beliefs and values while what I believe and value lies hidden under a cloak of secrecy because I’m operating as an under-cover-Christian? How will the unbeliever know what to choose, life or death, if I’m not walking as a representative of Jesus’ life and light?

I have a lot of things to think about.

Proverbs 12:15-17

17 An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. This is such a profound statement. When someone makes dealing in untruth a lifestyle, why do we think they will tell the truth if we ask them too? Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (and the body acts—my addition) (Luke 6:45).

Lying is a product of fear! We lie because we fear the consequences of our behavior or fear how others will think of us if they find out the truth of who we really are.